by our College Data Analytics Team
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the early-career earnings of their accounting graduates.
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Below are the schools whose accounting graduates go on to earn the most.
Auburn University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid accounting graduates in Alabama. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Auburn University earn a median of about $85,819 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Alabama produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Accounting graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of about $82,459 a year early in their careers.
Tuskegee University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Tuskegee University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tuskegee. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Tuskegee University typically earn about $63,850 annually.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Montevallo one of the highest-paying schools for accounting. University Of Montevallo is a public school located in the town of Montevallo. Accounting graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of about $61,623 a year early in their careers.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville produces some of the highest-paid graduates in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public institution. Early-career accounting graduates from University Of Alabama At Huntsville make a median of around $75,678 per year.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #6 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham typically earn about $71,777 annually.
Strayer University Alabama placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the city of Birmingham, Strayer University Alabama is a private for-profit institution. Accounting graduates of Strayer University Alabama earn a median of about $58,374 a year early in their careers.
Samford University landed the #8 spot for accounting salaries this year. Samford University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Samford University typically earn about $84,371 annually.
Herzing University Birmingham placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Herzing University Birmingham is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career accounting graduates from Herzing University Birmingham make a median of around $31,508 per year.
University Of North Alabama landed the #10 spot for accounting salaries this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University Of North Alabama typically earn about $61,438 annually.
Athens State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Athens State University is a public school located in the town of Athens. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Athens State University typically earn about $61,742 annually.
University Of South Alabama placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for accounting. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from University Of South Alabama typically earn about $54,805 annually.
Jacksonville State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of about $63,298 a year early in their careers.
Troy University earned the #14 position for accounting graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a public institution. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Troy University typically earn about $57,171 annually.
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #15 spot for accounting salaries this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a public school located in the city of Montgomery. Accounting graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of about $54,763 a year early in their careers.
Alabama A And M University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Alabama A And M University is a public school located in the city of Normal. After graduating, accounting degree recipients from Alabama A And M University typically earn about $47,156 annually.
Alabama State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying accounting schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a public institution. Accounting graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of about $52,458 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries accounting graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 17 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.